More than 100,000 rally across France in new Yellow Vest protests

More than 100,000 people have taken to the streets in France in another round of cost-of-living rallies organised by the “Yellow Vests” and various youth movements. The Ministry of the Interior reported that 106,000 people took part in protests nationwide, including 24,000 in Paris – down from 146,000 people nationwide and 46,000 in Paris last week. Student unions place Saturday’s protest numbers higher, at 200,000 people, including almost 100,000 in the capital.

The country has been gripped by high-school blockades, mass demonstrations, and strikes for more than a month, with protesters rallying against falling educational standards, cost-of-living increases, low wages, and police violence. A number of demonstrators also carried signs targeting President Emmanuel Macron, who has faced significant criticism from protesters. Some rallies in recent weeks have seen violence at the fringes, and the first major protest on October 17 saw looting in cities across France.

Since then, police presence at rallies and controls on transport and permits to protest have been expanded.